Yesterday's Ride

Put on another 462.2 miles. About 60 miles over gravel, 20 of which was on rain soaked switchbacks. Another 2.1 miles over a dirt mud road near Challis, ID because the Highway was closed due to a mudslide. Let me tell you, the 2005 Honda Shadow Sabre (VT1100C2) is not an off-road bike in any sense of the term - through shear force of will and raw physical power, mine - not the bike, I was able to get through 4 inches of mud without dropping the bike once, I came close, but thankfully not quite. Plus, I had a near encounter with a deer - she was getting ready to cross the road as I came round a blind corner and we looked each other in the eyes, I said “wait” and she did.

There’s repaving going on Idaho Hwy21, but it was still a great ride.  I have 41 minutes of video that I took with me riding through 20-45mph “dangerous” curves, I’ll probably save all the videos and burn them to DVD later for whoever wants them, they’re best on silent with either heavy metal or classical music in the background, but then you’d miss the metallic grinding when my pegs are being dragged along the road.  I wish the car(s) behind me were filming me too, because I’m sure that would be a sight.

According to my initial plan I’m exactly a full day behind already, due to the differences between Google Maps and my Garmin Zumo 550, but you know what? I’m glad I took the long way, I saw 4 national forests that I never would have, saw a double rainbow, I got to ride Idaho Hwy21, which I think after repaving, should be considered a great motorcycle road.

See you in Montana.